Joost Cornelisz Droochsloot (Circle), Village Scene with Church, 17th-century Oil Painting

This charming mid-17th-century Dutch oil painting depicts a village with a church and figures. It’s similar to the oeuvre of Joost Cornelisz Droochsloot (1586-1666).

All is well, nature is abundant amid a gentle, radiant glow, while the community gathers in harmony. In the foreground, a husband and wife, together with their loyal dog, stroll towards us. She carries a basket, perhaps laden with fresh goods. While beyond, three generations discuss events, an older gentleman rests on his stick, while the youngest, plausibly his grandchild, reaches for mother.

Idyllic village scenes were a popular addition to the Dutch art market during the 17th century and usually conveyed a moralising message. Here, we see two figures entering a church, thus emphasising that if one follows the principles of the local preacher, life will be unblighted from drunkenness, debauchery and misery.

Joost Cornelisz. Droochsloot hailed from Utrecht and became a valued painter of landscapes, villages and allegories. His approach was predominantly influenced by the earlier Flemish painters, such as Pieter Bruegel the Elder (c.?1525/1530-1569). At times, he was known to produce pairs of scenes to describe the light and dark side of humanity, with one’s adherence to the teachings of the church being the deciding factor. It’s interesting to consider his work, simply titled today as ‘Village Festival’, which is at the National Gallery of Ireland. In 2020, Christie’s sold an interesting pair of scenes as referred to above.

Like many Dutch artists of the period, Droochsloot supplemented his income by teaching students, including his son Cornelis Droochsloot (1640-after 1673), so it’s conceivable that the artist behind our work studied under him.

Held in a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 43½” x 33” / 111cm x 84cm

Year of creation: c. 1660

Labels & Inscriptions: The reverse bears a previous attribution to Jacob Esselens (1626-1687).

Provenance: Private collection, Geneva, Switzerland.

Condition: Cleaned. Canvas relined. Areas of fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. Later stretcher. The paint layer is stable. Frame with various marks and showing its age.

Our reference: BRV2167